Thread by @InsightGL

-#IndianAirForce & teams developing Tejas Mk2 hv to put in lot of effort to beat #Chinese J-10C
-Thanks to stolen #tech fm #Israeli Lavi program J-10 accelerated much faster with 468 in service
-Homegrown LCA faced severe #technology denials except small help fm Dassaultin in 80s

-#IndianAirForce in Jan ordered 83 Tejas Mk 1A
-1st ac will reach by 2023
-J-10B is thrust vectoring variant
-Tejas with low wing loading hs edge in high altitude, sustained turn rate, climb rate & cruising speed need lesser thrust
-Smaller airframe has smaller radar sign too

-Tejas Mk2 likely to reduce drag by 8% & improve transonic acceleration by 20%
-Likely to have Uttam Mk2 radar,>150km range BVR Astra Mk2 missile
-J-10B already has 300 km range BVR PL-15
-J-10C has dumped #Russian AL-31 engine for indigenous WS-10 Taihang, not proven though

-J-10C has an Infra-Red Search & Track system not available on Tejas Mk1A
-As of now J-10C has major advantage in electronics, computing, computer hardware & #ArtificiallIntelligence
-Good news is J-10C will be active in service only by 2030
-#India should get Mk2A by then

-LCA Tejas Mk2 would be a game changer
-It would have significantly advanced avionics, engines, & weaponry
-It would be in true category of Gen 4++
-But time is of the essence